Witch Whats is a collection of whatnots for/from the witchy minded; A magick inspired blog and paranormal experience journal featuring witchcraft information from the hedge and hearth, haunting paranormal encounters, handmade ritual tools such as wands and rattles, Wicca and Pagan education, free spells and amulets to try, plus original art inspired by these topics.

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Rowan Wand Binding, Fairy Spells, Removing Ghost

A wand of rowan is known to be used in binding spells and to remove spirits or ghosts.

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This wand was crafted from two different types of wood. The top portion, without tree bark, is the fruitful plum tree for abundance and the sweetness of magic. The lower portion is the sacred Rowan of the druid and Fairy folk tales. With its red bark and partner sage green lichen, the design emerges from the natural. The piece has been coated with environmentally friendly varnish to protect the natural surface of the tree bark. The two sections of wood have been carefully hand joined into a single, sturdy yet delicate, wand to represent the magic of two worlds combined; the mundane human and magickal Fey.

Since the fairies of Celtic Irish lore were people of the earth, I imagined them to have a tribal social culture; The overall design of this wispy wand is based upon that tribal sense. A wand of rowan is known to be used in binding spells and to remove spirits or ghosts. The two types of wood further represent the concept of, "two coming together", by their original growing locations; the Rowan wood is from the Western USA and the Plum wood from the Eastern portion. The fine point tip holds a polished clear quartz crystal pebble, well fitted into place. Further down, a natural amethyst gem stone has been embedded into the wood grain. The shape is near to a triangle, pointing the dreamy energies of amethyst to do the wielders bidding. The handle end is uncapped, and signed by the artist with a simple letter "T". The wood burned band, on the same end, could be used to tie colorful ribbons or beads for special events. No power tools were used, except for the electric pyrography burning tool; all work done by hand. A usable work of art.
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Branches cut into lengths and cleaned. Cutting small out branches and shaping must be done. This must be done very carefully to avoid cutting ones self when working with hand tools. Cleaning was done with a ceremonial bowline knife that is only used for ritual crafting.

The new "naked" wands were spread out on a tray and low temp baked in an old oven to remove bacteria; sterilize.

This individual wand was then smoothed down with various grades of sandpaper to remove the chip carving feel of the de-barking process.

After examining the wand, inspiration and Spirit took over. A gem stone crystal that matches the form of the end of the wood was selected. It needs to not only fit the physical shape but also the spiritual function of the piece.

The wood was carved out, by hand, using eye measurement to allow the stone to fit as tightly as possible.

Once the shapes were right, a small amount of very strong glue was added before the pieces were joined together. Making sure the fit is tight, the piece was allowed to dry.

This is the point at which the two pieces of wood were joined in much the same way as the stone was added.

After several days drying the glue, I swelled the wood around the crystal and joined area. Small amounts of water were carefully allowed to soak into the grain of the wood, causing it to swell. I checked the stone to test tightness and go on to another drying. The wand was again baked at a low temp to remove the moisture I added. This causes the wood grains to tighten up more than before; like tempering.

The next step is to add decorations with the wood burner, carving, and finish off the surface of the wood.

The piece was varnished with environmentally friendly varnish.

At the next Full Moon, after varnishing, a welcoming ceremony was done to announce to the spiritual realm the wand had been made whole.

Step thirteen, a sacred number to the Goddess, is for the piece to find it's home.